Friday, March 12, 2010

Four World Champions in one season. The competition has bunched up considerably since the 80s of Piquet, Lauda, Rosberg and Prost. In a recent gathering, 2009 World Champion Jenson Button of McLaren, 2005 and 2006 World Champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher of Mercedes and 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton also of McLaren obliged media and fans for a photoshoot.

What these guys were thinking during that awkward moment one could only surmise as something like this:

Jenson: I could choke you, Fernando, right now.Fernando: Michael, you'r hugging me too tight.Michael: Lewis, nice glutes. We should work out together.Lewis: Michael, you're my idol. I could kiss you right now.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

At 8 AM, Sunday, March 14, boxing fans will be treated to another whirlwind boxing event featuring P4P king Manny Pacquiao defending his Welterweight title against Ghanian native Joshua Clottey.

Many predict the Filipino will turn up victorious in Sunday’s fight (Saturday night in the US)—be it by KO or UD. Coach Roach predicts a 9th-round stoppage while wily Top Rank promoter Bob Arum thinks the fight will go the distance as Clottey, known for his granite chin, has never been knocked out sily before. Not even by Cotto.

Fight fans, what say thou?

I will be watching the fight at home with my family via Dream Cable’s PPV. Hopefully the price will the same as last time’s—P650.00 or the equivalent of a month’s cable supply.

But Manny Pacquiao’s exploits does not excite my juices that much this time because on the same day, the 2010 Formula 1 season kicks off in Bahrain with race day starting at 7 PM on Star Sports.

This time there will be no refueling on pits but just tire changes so expect sub 3-second pit stops this year.

I can’t wait to see Michael Schumacher back on the track again. And the blur will no longer be red but silver! Schumacher returns to drive for Mercedes plucked from retirement by former Ferrari technical chief and former Brawn racing director Ross Brawn, who engineered all of Schumacher’s titles in Ferrari.

At 41 years of age, the German reignites old foes in double World Champion Fernando Alonso (my favorite to win this year) who is now with Ferrari, and current World Champion Jenson Button of McLaren.

At 41 years of age, the 7-time World Champion goes against former pupil and teammate Felipe Massa of Ferrari. The Brazilian will be heading into the 2010 season more determined than ever to finish on top after a frustrating 2008 and humbling 2009 season.

T

Above: Michael Schumacher's helmet for the 2010 Formula One season. Though now driving for the silver livery, he retains his winning color.

At 41 years of age, the only driver to claim 90 Grand Prix wins will go against new foes in 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton of McLaren, young Sebastian Vettel and veteran Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing.

And at 41 years of age, Michael Schumacher will learn that more than half of the grid will be composed of drivers whose average age is 25, toddlers when the Champion was at his prime. These fellows will try to prove themselves against Michael and the pressure, I reckon, will be enormous.

Schumacher, known for aggressive driving style during his heydays will realize that the competition has bunched up considerably since his last Grand Prix in 2006… and Alonso beat him to it. Twice!